Conor Reilly '20 Recruiting Profile

My name is Connor Reilly and I am a two sports varsity athlete at Union Catholic High School in New Jersey. I pole vault not only for my high school but for, the Hudson Valley Flying Circus.  

    Breaking the New Jersey State record for sophomores, which was a 40-year-old record, was by far the highlight of my high school career so far. My sophomore year, I didn't just grow as an athlete but also a student. Going from a GPA in the high 2’s my freshman year due to a crippling concussion which set me back months from my peers’ progress to my current 3.8 GPA was one of my proudest moments in the classroom I have achieved. As a junior now, my hope is to break the Outdoor state record this spring as well as securing my third New Jersey State Championship title for Indoor, and my second State title for Outdoor.

    I am extremely fortunate to be part of an amazing track and field program at Union Catholic High School; our boys team has placed first in many conferences, county, and regional meets since my freshman year in addition to earning second in the state meet and first for our girls team in both my freshman and sophomore years. These second place finishes, both years, were only two points away from qualifying for the state title. This factor, among others, has motivated me as an athlete to continue training in both of the off seasons as well as attending numerous camps and clinics that will improve my pole vaulting performance all around. It was because of these losses that I was able to establish the hard work, commitment, and sacrifice needed to take my performance to the next level.

    On top of my track and field program at Union Catholic, I also belong to a pole vault specific club team called, The Hudson Valley Flying Circus, under the head coaching of Tim “st.” Lawrence, and his partner, Hugh Cauthers.  During my summers off I train at “The Barn” (as it is also referred to as) twice a week. During the competition season of winter and spring, I meet with him on Sundays as well as Wednesdays to work less on big vaults, and more on short runs, in-depth drills, and apparatus technique/gymnastics.

    It is for these reasons that I am looking for a program with these core values, that is also a good fit athletically and academically. I believe I not only have the athletic and academic abilities to compete for a college team, but the character strength, work ethic, and leadership skills to make an immediate impact on your program!